Id go with the Ford 500 too. The Volvo and Subaru are overpriced and would be far more expensive to fix than the 500. Besides, the flat motors that Subaru uses are a PITA to work on.
Octane

 

If you're looking for both gas mileage and good all weather driveability, I would go with a Subaru. We obviously have some pretty bad winters here and I drive my impreza everywhere while my bronco sits at home. When in 4x4 the bronco does great, but that means even worse gas mileage than it already has. Subaru's underbodies are tucked up so clearance usually isn't an issue. My sister has the same model and she uses to deliver newspapers which means she's plowing the snow in the early morning, with no problems. I have taken mine across rivers & up atv trails. It never ceases to amaze me. I have run the thing to the ground but it never stops going.

I would look at the Forester, Outback, Impreza/wrx, and see what you might like and what would work w/ the budget used or new. Just drive one, trust me you'll like it.

 

We have been checking out some Foresters. We were going to go with a Vibe or Matrix, but all of the reviews said that they had very poor acceleration. I don't want to have to drive like grandma just to have good gas mileage. We are probably going to go with either a Forester or an Outback. Thanks for all of the suggestions!!

 

Great choice, I'd like to hear your opinion afterwards if you do.

 

I am going to a few dealers this weekend to test drive some Foresters. I will let you know what I think.

 

I've had two Subaru's. A Legacy and an Outback. Great vehicles. Repairs not much more expensive than domestic vehicles. Many aftermarket parts are available and a lot of independent garages will work on them. But the fact is, they don't need many repairs.

Wish I could say the same about my current two Ford products.

 

A few people mentioned that BMW and Mercedes both make AWD cars...

I am personally not aware of any current Mercedes or BMW that is AWD...
And I am quite disgusted with myself at the thought that there is a car on the market somewhere in the world that I am not aware of.

Anyone care to enlighten me?


As for AWD vehicles, Scoobies are darn hard to beat. I do like the 500 too (or even the Freestyle), but a lot of people struggle to look beyond the badge or the looks...
A pity, as there is a real good car underneath.
Not all of them are. For example:
Scoobies have a 50:50 torque split front and rear constantly - some of the higher spec variants have user selectable centre diff to alter torque split front to rear, but I am unsure if that is available in the US.
Pretty much all of the systems are completely unnoticable. The only exception is early CRV's - thier system would require about 1/2 a revolution of a tire before it kicked in.
Nothing major by any means.

 

Check the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

A really nice ride.

 

What does IIRC mean?

 

Here you go Big:

http://www.bmwusa.com/bmwexperience/...ling.htm?id=14

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container...c_overview.jsp

Thats whats available stateside anyway.

 

Thanks heaps tdister...

We only get RWD models down here.

 

Thanks for all your suggestions again. We bought a 2002 Subaru Legacy Outback. This thing handles like a sports car!! We test drove a couple of Foresters, but they had been worn out by the previous owner(s) so we started looking at Outbacks. Glad we found this one. Only had 35,000 miles on it and we got it cheap!!!

 

If I Recall Correctly

Another fun one is SWMBO
She Who MUST Be Obeyed.

 

The new Acura RL would also be a good choice IMO. Luxury, performance, and that Honda reliability!

 

http://www.gtr34.com/pictures/amuse/RL001.JPG
http://www.gtr34.com/pictures/amuse/RL002.JPG

theres some stuff on the acura sh-awd, kinda interesting as it seems to help more on dry road than most.